This Specimen began in 2011 after I received a call from Jack White. He inquired about our Double Spinning Horn Speaker. He said that he wanted me to turn it upside down and hang it from the ceiling. After a long pause, I said it would take a little engineering. He suggested I embark on the project.

This spinning horn is similar to the original Double Spinning Horn Speaker but because it is ceiling-mounted, many of the internal fixtures were re-engineered to withstand the forces of gravity. It is also designed to operate by a wireless handheld controller that has two pre-set buttons and a continuously variable speed knob. Since a cable controller might be a little awkward coming down from the ceiling, this added feature makes operating the horn speaker as easy as pressing a button.

Ideally suited for the recording studio, this ceiling-mounted horn speaker produces sound similar to a Leslie unit, enveloping the space in a variety of merging wave fronts both emanating directly from the horn, and reflected off surfaces in the environment. Twisting phase relationships and Doppler-effect pitch-shifts occur within this unique kaleidoscope of sound. Being located near the ceiling enhances the “room” effect and make the bass response even more pronounced.

The horn speaker is made from fiberglass, the cylinder from bent birch plywood and the onion dome is made from a custom-molded piece layed up in fiberglass. The horn speaker, cylinder and dome are all finished in nitro-cellulose lacquer.